Cargo containerization apparatus and system

ABSTRACT

Cargo containerization apparatus and system of a type wherein one or more selectively movable containers for cargo and the like are adapted for individual or collective transportation from and to material or cargo loading and discharge points. The individual units are adapted for transportation on truck chassis, trains, or the like, and are readily placeable on or removed from the conveyance for temporary storage following long-distance hauling and the like, or pickup or local handling. The system includes operating and control means for raising and lowering the individual container units, or a plurality thereof, and is particularly suited and adapted for so raising and lowering an individual unit with respect to an adjoining unit in a line or in areas of restricted clearance to prevent damage to the container during the lifting or placement operation.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Horace D. Blackburn 333 6th Ave.West, Bradenton, 11121. 33505 [21] Appl. No. 855,225 [22] Filed Sept. 4,1969 [45] Patented Oct. 12, 1971 [54] CARGO CONTAIN ERIZATION APPARATUSAND SYSTEM 10 Claims, 12 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 214/515, 254/45 [51] Int. Cl 1360p 1/64 [50] Field of Search214/515, 38.8; 254/45; 187/859 [56] References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 2,831,588 4/1958 Seed 214/38 3,204,796 9/1965 Hand.... 214/5153,425,576 2/1969 Martin 214/515 Primary Examiner-Albert J. MakayAtt0rney-J. Gibson Semmes ABSTRACT: Cargo containerization apparatus andsystem of a type wherein one or more selectively movable containers forcargo and the like are adapted for individual or collectivetransportation from and to material or cargo loading and dischargepoints. The individual units are adapted for transportation on truckchassis, trains, or the like, and are readily placeable on or removedfrom the conveyance for temporary storage following long-distancehauling and the like, or pickup or local handling. The system includesoperating and control means for raising and lowering the individualcontainer units, or a plurality thereof, and is particularly suited andadapted for so raising and lowering an individual unit with respect toan adjoining unit in a line or in areas of restricted clearance toprevent damage to the container during the lifting or placementoperation.

PATENTEH mm 1 2 lifaf. $612131 5 SHEET 2 OF d firm/ma CAIIGOCONTAINERI'I'ION APPARATUS AND SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Cargocontainers of a unitary movable nature are known and extensively usedfor handling, hauling and/or temporary storage of materials and cargo.When the units are to be moved from one location to another, the unitsare ordinarily individually mounted or placed upon a truck-tractor ortractor trailer chassis including means for lifting and depositing thecontainer with respect to the chassis and additionally leg means areutilized for supporting the units in a stationary of fixed location fortemporary material or cargo storage. Space limitations necessitate closepositioning of the units with respect to one another, either on aconveyor chassis or in a location of temporary storage. At times, thisclose placement results in damage to the individual units and/oraccessories thereon during lifting or placement operations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A principal feature of the present invention isto provide apparatus and a system for handling individual cargo ormaterial transporting and storage containers or units for placement onconveying mechanism, removal therefrom and placement in a position fortemporary storage and the like. The invention provides a system and liftmechanism incorporating an automatically operated control system wherebyone end of a unit is raised or lowered prior to movement of the oppositeend in such a manner that clearance is provided between closelypositioned containers to prevent damaging contact between the conveyors.The invention also incorporates safety control mechanisms to ensure safeand practical operations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other and additional features andobjects of the invention will be more readily apparent from a detaileddescription of an embodiment thereof, when taken together with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a pictorial view, in perspective, showing a plurality ofcontainers and an operational sequence of a single unit movement relatedto a truck chassis;

FIG. 2 is a pictorial representation, in perspective, showing aplurality of units as mounted on a trailer chassis as removed from alocation of temporary storage;

FIGS. 3 to 3 inclusive are elevational views showing a sequence ofoperation in removing a container from the ground and placement on aconveying truck chassis;

FIG. 9 is a view of a control panel for electrical operation of alifting system;

FIG. III consists of fragmentary elevational views of a sequence switchon a front lift leg for control operation of a rear lift leg;

FIG. II is a view similar to FIG. III of a switch mounting on a rearlift leg for control operation of a front lift unit; and

FIG. I2 is a schematic wiring diagram for the electric lift system ofthe invention.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the invention is shownand will be described with reference to transport or conveyance ofsingle and multiple cargo containers, the first being accomplished witha single bed truck chassis and a truck-trailer with a multiple unittrailer chassis, the overall apparatus and use being particularlysuitable in connection with cargo containerization systems.

Cargo containers of any known or desired type are indicated at and eachconsists of a single entity or unit. These units or containers,depending upon their construction, can be used for any type of materialfor conveyance or storage thereof. In a containerization system ascontemplated by the invention and as currently in use, one or aplurality of individual containers or units can be conveyed to a desiredlocation for storage, temporary storage, or available use of material inthe container. One method of carrying out implementation of acontainerization system principle is shown in FIG. I

LII

wherein two containers 2% have been arranged with respect to one anotherand supported on container legs 22 which can be of any known typeincluding those of adjustable length, detachable from the container tofacilitate container conveyance or fixedly attached to the container andmovable into retracted position for transportation and extendedposition, as shown in the right in FIG. I, for ground placement andsupport of the container. Conveyance and placement of the containers asshown in FIG. I is accomplished by use of a single unit tractor chassisvehicle 2d which has incorporated thereon a plurality of verticallyextendible lift legs generally designated as which will be described inmore detail hereinafter, and which in operation are adapted to raise asingle container vertically from a ground supported position and afterremoval of support legs 22 the so-raised container can then be loweredonto the truck chassis for support thereon and conveyance to any desiredlocation. The same apparatus can obviously be used to transfer or conveya loaded container from a loading area to a discharge or storage areawhether temporary or substantially permanent. It will be noted that inplacement of the containers in contiguous relationship, one with respectto another, the individual containers are closely positioned tofacilitate space saving for a ground support assembly and additionallyto permit multiple unit conveyance or transportation by means of atrailer tractor assembly generally indicated at 2% in FIG. 2 wherein aplurality of containers 20 are all positioned on and supported by asingle trailer chassis 30. Such a trailer chassis is provided with aplurality of vertical lift legs, generally designated 32, adapted forraising or lowering the trailer chassis. When it is desired to load aplurality of the containers on the trailer chassis, the chassis is movedhorizontally along the ground into a position under the line or assemblyof containers with the chassis in a position sufficiently low to passunder the containers supported on legs 22. The vertical lift legs 32 arethen actuated to elevate the trailer chassis to free the support legsfrom the ground whereupon they can be removed from the container unitsor moved to an inactive position. The lift legs 32 are then operated tolower the trailer chassis to a normal road operating position and thelift legs are then retracted for ground clearance. The construction andoperation of the lift legs 32 for the trailer chassis form no part ofthe present invention, per se, and their construction will not bedescribed in detail herein. Manifestly, lift legs of this nature areknown to those skilled in the art. In the embodiment of FIG. I lift legs34 are provided on the truck chassis to permit raising or lowering ofthe individual containers with respect to the truck chassis bed and thesupport legs for functions similar to the foregoing with respect to thetrailer bed. The exact operation for this loading, unloading andcontainer placement and removal will be explained in more detailhereinafter.

One of the principal features of the present invention is to provideapparatus and a system operable when depositing or placing a unit in acontainerization system line or removal therefrom and means wherebyinterference or accidental collision of one unit with respect to anadjoining one is eliminated during the actual operation with respect tomovement of an individual container. This operation wilI now bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 3-@ inclusive. A pIurality ofcontainers 20 are shown in FIG. 3 on support legs 22 in a linearrangement such as would be used for temporary material storage. Whenit is desired to move or transport a unit which has, for example, beenemptied and it is desired to move to an area for reloading, the truckwith the single unit chassis 245 is backed under an end unit asindicated at arrow 36 so that the chassis bed is positioned under theunit. The vertical legs 34 are then actuated to elevate the container toeliminate ground support by means of the legs 22. Sequentially, thisstep and lowering of a unit on to the truck chassis bed are more clearlyshown in FIGS. d 3. As indicated by arrow 33 the rear lift legs 34 oneach side of the container are energized first to elevate the rear ofthe container with the forward end serving as a pivot. The unit is thusrotated and provides an initial clearance at 40. Normally, runninglights and the like are incorporated at or along the upper front and/orrear edges of containers. Due to this rotation of the container unit andthe provision of the space 40, interference and/or accidental contact ofthese regions of the containers is eliminated. The so partially raisedcontainer is indicated at 20a in FIG. 4.

Subsequently, the forward lift legs 34, when the rear lift legs haveoperated to their limit position, normally approximately 4 inches, arethen actuated to raise the front end of the unit as indicated by arrow40 to a top end position 20b (FIG. The lift legs 22 are then removed orplaced in an inactive position. The front lift legs 34 are then loweredwith the front end of the container lowering as indicated by arrow 42(FIG. 6) with the rear end of the container serving as a pivot toprovide a lowering space 44 between container edges and to lower thefront end of the container after this initial lowering together with theremainder of the unit upon lowering actuation of the rearward lift legs34 until contact support of the front end of the unit is made with thetruck bed as indicated at 20c in FIG. 7. Upon contact of the front endwith the bed, the rear lift legs 34 continue to lower the rear of thecontainer as indicated by arrow 46 to a final seated position 20d (FIG.8) on the truck bed for subsequent removal of the unit on the truck asindicated by arrow 48 for conveyance or transfer of the unit to asubsequent location as may be desired.

When placing an individual container in a containerization system line,the truck having the container thereon is first moved into the properlocation and the front and rear lift legs are actuated to raise andlower the unit in an opposite sequence with the rear of the containerbeing initially raised from the truck chassis bed and the entire unitthen elevated into a horizontal position permitting placement of thesupport legs in active position on the container, front of containerunit then being lowered prior to a joint lowering by the legs and asubsequent horizontal seated end position on the support legs. The liftlegs are then continued lowered to free contact with the container unitand the truck removed. The sequence of movements again eliminates thepossibility of damaging contact between adjacent units in the line.

Operation of the vertical lift legs is accomplished by means of theelectrical system as will be described with reference to FIGS. 9-12inclusive. Referring specifically to FIG. 12, which shown a wiringdiagram for a powerpack unit used for the electric lift system, onebeing supplied for each side of a truck chassis as shown in FIG. 1. Thetwo powerpack units are identical and only one will be described herein.The circuit is connected to truck battery 50 and the circuit includestruck ignition switch 52 in series with bar lock switches, a switch 56which is normally open and actuated or closed by engine oil pressure,this serving to prevent operation with the engine stopped. A warninglight 58 is arranged in the circuit which is energized when either ofthe bar lock switches at 54 is closed for reasons hereinafter to be setforth. A normally open protective relay and switch 60 is used in thecircuit to prevent unauthorized operation in the absence of energizingof the ignition switch. The powerpack unit per se is enclosed within thebroken line block indicated at 62. This includes a motor indicated at 64which can be, for example, a l2-volt DC reversing motor having field 66and armature 68 operatively connected in the circuit. A plurality ofpowerpack unit relays generally designated 70 are incorporated in motorcontrol relay assembly indicated by broken lines at 72. The individualmotor control relays are shown at A, B, C and D. Front and rear limitswitches 74 and 76 respectively in the circuit are positively coupled tothe vertical lift legs by means of drive gearing and are adjustable aswill be explained with reference to FIGS. and 11. Operating or controlswitch 78 is operable into up and down actuating positions designated80a and 80b respectively for control of movement of the lifting legs.The circuit further includes a sequence switch generally designated 82actuatable by vertical lift leg movement, see FIGS. 10 and II, anauxiliary switch interposed between the sequence switch and operatingswitch, as shown at 84 which is normally open. The auxiliary switchoperates upon manual depression to provide an alternate path to groundif the sequence switch is in the open position to actuate the lift legsas desired. The wiring diagram shows all of the switches in the circuitshown in proper position for operating in one direction. It will benoted hereinafter that the sequence switch for control of a powerpack asshown is mounted on the lift leg driven by the other or opposedpowerpack unit.

FIG. 9 shows a possible control panel including front operating controlswitch f and rear switch 80r each having the up and down contacts 80aand 80b respectively. The auxiliary switch includes front and rearauxiliary switches 84a and 84b respectively.

The sequence switch generally designated 82 in FIG. 12 actually consistsin switches actuatable by movement of front and rear lift legs.Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, a lift leg 34a for the front includes astationary leg 86 and a movable leg 88 with a collar 90 or the likemounting a switch 82a having control lever 92 contractable by actuatingbar 94 attached to and movable with leg portion 88 in up and downdirection indicated by arrows 96 and 98 respectively. A nose 100contacts the lever 92. A guide 102 can be provided for actuating bar 94.In FIG. 10 the down lever position is the on" position. The actuatingbar holds the switch lever in off position until the leg has moved downa predetermined distance. This sequence switch on the front lift legcontrols operation of the rear power pack unit.

The structure shown in FIG. 11 is substantially identical to that shownin FIG. 10, but as mounted on a rear lift leg and the switch controlsoperation of the front power pack unit. The actuating bar 94a is of aslightly different configuration or of dimensions and acts to hold theswitch lever in the off" position until the leg has moved up apredetermined distance. The up" position of lever 92 is on" position.The rear lift leg in FIG. 11 is generally indicated at 34b todifferentiate from the leg 34a in FIG. 10.

In operation the system serves as an elevating device upon depressingboth up" buttons 80a. The rear lift device will rise approximately 4inches before the front lifting device moves. This is controlled bysequence switch 82. This assures that when lifting device contacts acontainer lift pocket, not shown, the container is always tiltedforward, as indicated with reference to FIGS. 3-8 inclusive. Theleveling off of the container is accomplished in that the front liftdevice will continue to lift until the front limit switch turns thefront motor off.

In order to lower the lift device and container, the two down" buttons80b are depressed and the rear legs will continue to run after the frontlegs are down until the rear limit switch turns. Of course, after therear legs have travelled up or the front legs have travelled down untilthe sequence switch is actuated, approximately 4 inches, the containercan be levelled by depressing the appropriate operating switch singly.

In review, interlocks or bar locks generally designated 104, FIG. 3, areremoved and this completes the circuit through the bar lock switches 54.The engine is then started and this completes the circuit through theignition switch and oil pressure switch, if used, and energizes theprotective relay. The relay completes the circuit from the battery tothe powerpack unit relays. The operating switch can now be depressed ineither the up or down" direction. The operating switch actuates themotor control relays in pairs, either relays B and D, as shown in FIG.12, or relays A and C for opposite direction, by completing the circuitto the ground. This ordinarily will be accomplished through the sequenceswitch, however, if operation is desired while the sequence switch is inthe open" position, the auxiliary switch can be manually depressed toprovide an alternate path to ground. The limit switches being positivelycoupled to the leg drive gearing and being adjustable control the cutoffpoint at each end of leg travel by breaking the circuit between theoperating switch and the motor control relays.

The oil-operated switch 86 is not necessary, but if incor porated theengine must be running. It assures that the engine will be running andtherefore the alternator will be charging when the powerpack unit isoperated, thereby reducing drain on the storage batteries. It is also tobe noted that locks 11M must be removed. While the lift can be operatedwith only one bar lock removed, this must not be done as it will resultin damage to the equipment and this possibility is eliminated byincorporation of the bar lock warning light 58 as above described.

The apparatus, system and operation thereof in a manner to permit closeassembly of a plurality of containers while preventing damage thereofwill be readily apparent from the foregoing. A further description isnot considered necessary herein.

Manifestly, minor changes and differences can be incorporated in theinvention as shown and described without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined in and limited solely by the appendedclaims.

lclaim:

1. A container lift system comprising:

A. spaced lift means comprising extendible and retractable front andrear leg sets engageable respectively with front and rear underside endsof the container;

B. means for separately actuating said lift means to elevate or to lowerthe container; and

C. Control means to delay operation of said lift means until the otherof said lift means has moved one container end through a predetermineddistance prior to moving the opposite container end, said control meansbeing operable to initially extend the rear leg set during containerelevation and conversely to initially retract the front leg duringcontainer lowering, whereby the container is tilted forward duringelevating and lowering, said control means further including sequenceswitches mounted on each said leg set and actuatable subsequent topredetermined movement of one said leg set in a predetermined directionto actuate movement of the other said leg set in the same predetermineddirection.

2. A container lift system as claimed in claim 1, including auxiliarycontrol means for actuating either said leg set independent of operationof either of said sequence switches.

3. A container lift system as claimed in claim 2, including leg setmovement limit switches establishing predetermined movement limits forextension and retraction of each said leg set.

A. A container lift system as claimed in claim 3, including containersupport legs selectively movable to operative and inoperative positionsfor selective support of a container.

5. A container lift system as claimed in claim 3, said system includinga vehicle and a chassis, said lift means being mounted on said chassis,said vehicle and chassis being adapted for container transportation,said actuating means comprising an electrical lift operating system,said control means being operatively incorporated in said electricaloperating system.

6. A container lift system as claimed in claim 5, an electricaloperating circuit for said vehicle, said electrical lift operatingsystem being connected with said electrical operating circuit, anormally open protective relay in said operating system, a vehicleignition switch in said operating circuit, said relay and said switchbeing connected in series and operable to prevent unauthorized operationof said lift system.

7. A container lift system as claimed in claim 6, said chassis and saidcontainer having coacting lock means to secure the container on thechassis, switches operatively associated with said lock means andconnected in said operating circuit, said switches being open with saidlock means closed whereby operating circuit is deenergized.

d. A container lift system as claimed in claim 7, a warning device insaid operating circuit normally deenergized with said lock means closedand operated upon opening of a lock means.

9. A container lift system as claimed in claim 8, a normally openvehicle engine oil pressure actuatable switch in said operating circuitto maintain a deenergized circuit in the absence of engine o ration.

110. A container li t system as claimed in claim 1, said systemincluding a plurality of containers adapted for placement in closelypositioned end-to-end relationship, end ones of said containers beingadapted for elevation, transportation or fixed placement, an end saidcontainer when. elevated or lowered being initially tilted providingclearance between top portions of an adjacent container to preventdamaging contact therebetween or with accessories attached thereto.

1. A container lift system comprising: A. spaced lift means comprisingextendible and retractable front and rear leg sets engageablerespectively with front and rear underside ends of the container; B.means for separately actuating said lift means to elevate or to lowerthe container; and C. Control means to delay operation of said liftmeans until the other oF said lift means has moved one container endthrough a predetermined distance prior to moving the opposite containerend, said control means being operable to initially extend the rear legset during container elevation and conversely to initially retract thefront leg during container lowering, whereby the container is tiltedforward during elevating and lowering, said control means furtherincluding sequence switches mounted on each said leg set and actuatablesubsequent to predetermined movement of one said leg set in apredetermined direction to actuate movement of the other said leg set inthe same predetermined direction.
 2. A container lift system as claimedin claim 1, including auxiliary control means for actuating either saidleg set independent of operation of either of said sequence switches. 3.A container lift system as claimed in claim 2, including leg setmovement limit switches establishing predetermined movement limits forextension and retraction of each said leg set.
 4. A container liftsystem as claimed in claim 3, including container support legsselectively movable to operative and inoperative positions for selectivesupport of a container.
 5. A container lift system as claimed in claim3, said system including a vehicle and a chassis, said lift means beingmounted on said chassis, said vehicle and chassis being adapted forcontainer transportation, said actuating means comprising an electricallift operating system, said control means being operatively incorporatedin said electrical operating system.
 6. A container lift system asclaimed in claim 5, an electrical operating circuit for said vehicle,said electrical lift operating system being connected with saidelectrical operating circuit, a normally open protective relay in saidoperating system, a vehicle ignition switch in said operating circuit,said relay and said switch being connected in series and operable toprevent unauthorized operation of said lift system.
 7. A container liftsystem as claimed in claim 6, said chassis and said container havingcoacting lock means to secure the container on the chassis, switchesoperatively associated with said lock means and connected in saidoperating circuit, said switches being open with said lock means closedwhereby operating circuit is deenergized.
 8. A container lift system asclaimed in claim 7, a warning device in said operating circuit normallydeenergized with said lock means closed and operated upon opening of alock means.
 9. A container lift system as claimed in claim 8, a normallyopen vehicle engine oil pressure actuatable switch in said operatingcircuit to maintain a deenergized circuit in the absence of engineoperation.
 10. A container lift system as claimed in claim 1, saidsystem including a plurality of containers adapted for placement inclosely positioned end-to-end relationship, end ones of said containersbeing adapted for elevation, transportation or fixed placement, an endsaid container when elevated or lowered being initially tilted providingclearance between top portions of an adjacent container to preventdamaging contact therebetween or with accessories attached thereto.